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Mikael · 12-22-2007, 05:05 PM

Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats

by Lisa Zyga
December 12, 2007

They're cute, white, and fluffy - and they glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet light. The cats are actually clones. They're also the first cats to be cloned with a manipulated fluorescence protein gene.

The researchers hope that the procedure could help develop treatments for human genetic diseases.

The scientists, from Gyeongsang National University in South Korea, explained that they used the skin cells of the mother cat for cloning. To modify its genes, they inserted a virus in the skin cells, which were then transplanted into the mother's womb. Four Turkish Angora kittens were born in January, but two died during a caesarean section. The two living cats, now nearly a year old, weigh about 6-7pounds.

By demonstrating that it's possible to clone an animal with a manipulated gene, the research could help scientists better understand human genetic diseases. For example, scientists may be able to reproduce cloned animals suffering from the same diseases as humans. Cats have about 250 of the same kinds of genetic diseases that affect humans.

The ability to clone genetically altered cats may also help to develop new stem cell treatments for humans. And, using the same technology, researchers may be able to clone endangered animals like tigers, leopards and wildcats.

Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats | Inventor Spot

The Diva · 12-28-2007, 11:29 AM

well that ought to make them easy to find!!!

Funny, a grad student some years back told me he was working on glow in the dark grass and ornamental plants.

oh, let creative gene splicing roll on....

John · 12-29-2007, 03:41 PM

Technology marches on and while cloning may be of great benefit in the treatment of human disease, etc. I do have a few issues with statements such as "...using the same technology, researchers may be able to clone endangered animals like tigers, leopards and wildcats".

1) The technology deflects the real issue (loss or fracture of habitats important for the maintenamce of wild populations) facing the many threatened and endangered species around the world. Samples of cheetah DNA kept at the San Diego zoo for visitors to ooh and aah about will not save the species (as it truly is)...a top predator in a unique African ecosytem...

2) More and more the technology creates complacency among regulatory agencies and industry. As development increases at an alarming rate (which is a given), many endangered salmon species (and sub-species) on the west coast of North America are being hybridized so as to breed out specific habitat requirements that help to maintain the genetic diversity of different species and races. The net result has been more lenient environmental permitting of projects (mining comes to mind) under the false assumption that there will minimal impacts to fish populations and the aquatic resources that sustain them.

I'm not a hardcore environmentalist. In fact, the majority of clients I work are in the mining, oil & gas, pulp and paper, and residential development industries. I just don't see the words "cloning" and "preservation" being synonymous (as they are often considered to be in permitting applications). Yet cloning is becoming another means of softening the cost of environmental due diligence.

Anyway, wheres my Zonda keys...time to generate some emissions that may help to warm Vancouver up a few degrees over the long-term.

12-22-2007, 05:05 PM	#1
Mikael Fanatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,836 Thanks: 828 Thanked 415 Times in 233 Posts	Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats by Lisa Zyga December 12, 2007 They're cute, white, and fluffy - and they glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet light. The cats are actually clones. They're also the first cats to be cloned with a manipulated fluorescence protein gene. The researchers hope that the procedure could help develop treatments for human genetic diseases. The scientists, from Gyeongsang National University in South Korea, explained that they used the skin cells of the mother cat for cloning. To modify its genes, they inserted a virus in the skin cells, which were then transplanted into the mother's womb. Four Turkish Angora kittens were born in January, but two died during a caesarean section. The two living cats, now nearly a year old, weigh about 6-7pounds. By demonstrating that it's possible to clone an animal with a manipulated gene, the research could help scientists better understand human genetic diseases. For example, scientists may be able to reproduce cloned animals suffering from the same diseases as humans. Cats have about 250 of the same kinds of genetic diseases that affect humans. The ability to clone genetically altered cats may also help to develop new stem cell treatments for humans. And, using the same technology, researchers may be able to clone endangered animals like tigers, leopards and wildcats. Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats \| Inventor Spot

12-28-2007, 11:29 AM	#2
The Diva Master Shopper Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 926 Thanks: 974 Thanked 860 Times in 424 Posts	Re: Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats well that ought to make them easy to find!!! Funny, a grad student some years back told me he was working on glow in the dark grass and ornamental plants. oh, let creative gene splicing roll on....

12-29-2007, 03:41 PM	#3
John Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 49 Thanks: 34 Thanked 30 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Scientists Create Glow-In-The-Dark Cats Technology marches on and while cloning may be of great benefit in the treatment of human disease, etc. I do have a few issues with statements such as "...using the same technology, researchers may be able to clone endangered animals like tigers, leopards and wildcats". 1) The technology deflects the real issue (loss or fracture of habitats important for the maintenamce of wild populations) facing the many threatened and endangered species around the world. Samples of cheetah DNA kept at the San Diego zoo for visitors to ooh and aah about will not save the species (as it truly is)...a top predator in a unique African ecosytem... 2) More and more the technology creates complacency among regulatory agencies and industry. As development increases at an alarming rate (which is a given), many endangered salmon species (and sub-species) on the west coast of North America are being hybridized so as to breed out specific habitat requirements that help to maintain the genetic diversity of different species and races. The net result has been more lenient environmental permitting of projects (mining comes to mind) under the false assumption that there will minimal impacts to fish populations and the aquatic resources that sustain them. I'm not a hardcore environmentalist. In fact, the majority of clients I work are in the mining, oil & gas, pulp and paper, and residential development industries. I just don't see the words "cloning" and "preservation" being synonymous (as they are often considered to be in permitting applications). Yet cloning is becoming another means of softening the cost of environmental due diligence. Anyway, wheres my Zonda keys...time to generate some emissions that may help to warm Vancouver up a few degrees over the long-term.

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